Australia-China economic and trade links grow

Rio Tinto
Australia chief executive
Sam Walsh
said Tuesday’s economic and trade forum in China underscores the importance of Australia’s relationship with its largest trading partner and provides an opportunity to deepen the level of understanding.

Prime Minister
Julia Gillard
has been accompanied on her visit to Beijing by a delegation of Australian executives, including Mr Walsh,
BHP Billiton
chief executive
Marius Kloppers
and
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
boss
Mike Smith
.

Mr Walsh and Mr Smith are among a number of speakers who will address the Australia China Business Council economic and trade co-operation forum, which represents the largest Australian trade and investment delegation to visit China.

The Prime Minister will address the three-day forum late on Tuesday afternoon.

“China is without doubt now Australia’s most important economic partner, and this gathering is both a celebration of that relationship and a tremendous opportunity to explore ways in which we can make it even stronger," Mr Walsh said.

“In addition to providing an opportunity to form new business relationships, it also provides a platform to deepen the level understanding between our two countries."

The resources sector is well represented at the forum, with
Atlas Iron
chief executive
David Flanagan
also addressing the forum and
Fortescue Metals
and
Gindalbie Metals
executives attending.